New york: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, emphasized that a just peace will only be possible through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with full sovereignty over the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
According to Qatar News Agency, this statement was made in a communique issued by the GCC General Secretariat on the occasion of the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, held on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
In his statement, the Secretary-General expressed appreciation for the efforts of Saudi Arabia and France in chairing the high-level ministerial conference, noting that their collective efforts have revived hope and demonstrated that responsible leadership can transform principles into reality. He added that when the world unites, it has the power to create a new dawn for peace.
Albudaiwi explained that the conference, held under the United Nations’ umbrella, sends a clear message: “Rights cannot be erased, justice cannot be delayed, and freedom cannot be bought.” He reiterated that the Palestinian cause is not merely a regional issue, but a global humanitarian one, testing the international community’s commitment to the principles of truth and justice. He reaffirmed the GCC’s steadfast position, based on international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative, which continues to serve as a strategic roadmap for comprehensive peace based on the principle of “complete withdrawal for complete peace.”
The Secretary-General also praised the countries that have recently recognized the State of Palestine, stating that Palestinian rights do not await a decision from the occupier, but rather a decision from the international community. He welcomed these courageous steps and urged other nations to follow suit, so that recognizing Palestine would become a historic testament to the values of justice and international legitimacy.
He emphasized that any peace built on land devoured by illegal settlements is fragile and unsustainable, stressing that continued violations against the Palestinian people only fuel a cycle of injustice and despair. He stated that halting these practices is essential to creating an environment conducive to serious, responsible negotiations under international sponsorship, aimed at restoring the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights.
Albudaiwi added that the Palestinian cause will remain the beacon of truth in the Arab and Islamic worlds, and will continue to be a top priority for the GCC, as it is a matter of existence, identity, and human dignity.
Concluding his statement, the Secretary-General said that justice may sometimes be delayed by politics, but history does not forgive those who fail to stand with the oppressed. He added that the day when the dawn of an independent Palestinian state will rise is inevitable, when its flag will fly alongside those of other nations, and when children will sing a new anthem for freedom, instead of dirges for exile and occupation. He stressed that a just peace is not a political option, but a human destiny dictated by justice and sought by the global conscience.